SARAJEVO, Sept 27 (Hina) - NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana confirmed on Monday that the number of troops of the Western Alliance deployed to keep peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) would be considerably cut in the coming period,
but the reduction would not affect the determination of the international community to fully support the further implementation of the Dayton Accords. At a news conference which he held in Sarajevo after his talks with two members of the Bosnian Presidency - Croat Ante Jelavic and Serb Zivko Radisic - and with Stabilisation Force (SFOR) commander General Montgomery Meigs, Solana said he was expecting that the current 30,000 SFOR members be reduced to 20,000, but it would be done after a formal decision was made on the matter. The NATO chief commander in Europe, General Wesley Clark, said troops that would remain in Bosnia would be actually mor
SARAJEVO, Sept 27 (Hina) - NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana
confirmed on Monday that the number of troops of the Western
Alliance deployed to keep peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) would be
considerably cut in the coming period, but the reduction would not
affect the determination of the international community to fully
support the further implementation of the Dayton Accords.
At a news conference which he held in Sarajevo after his talks with
two members of the Bosnian Presidency - Croat Ante Jelavic and Serb
Zivko Radisic - and with Stabilisation Force (SFOR) commander
General Montgomery Meigs, Solana said he was expecting that the
current 30,000 SFOR members be reduced to 20,000, but it would be
done after a formal decision was made on the matter.
The NATO chief commander in Europe, General Wesley Clark, said
troops that would remain in Bosnia would be actually more active and
resolute than before.
Operations in Bosnia and Kosovo have taught us to do what we must do,
the American general told reporters.
In any case sufficient forces will stay in Bosnia to be able to
guarantee peace and stability in the entire country, said Solana
who visited Sarajevo for the last time in capacity of NATO
Secretary-General as next month this Spaniard will become the
European Union Foreign Minister.
Commenting on what has been achieved in Bosnia since the conclusion
of the Dayton deal, Solana assessed that progress was noticeable in
many fields but much remains to be done in the return of refugees and
the strengthening of the joint bodies of authority especially for
the fight against corruption.
Corruption undermines all efforts aimed at establishing a
democratic society, he warned.
Solana added that the international community, including SFOR,
would offer all necessary assistance for achieving aforementioned
goals, but the basic responsibility lies with people in Bosnia-
Herzegovina and their political leaders.
(hina) jn ms